Evaluations and Consultations
Consultations
What is it?
A consultation is a quick, less detailed physical therapy assessment. We offer initial consultations as a complimentary service. The assessment typically lasts 20 minutes. Generally, we collect a brief medical history. This enables us to identify any underlying medical factors that can impact treatment. Following this, your PT will complete other aspects of an assessment. These include checks of strength, range of motion, posture, balance, coordination, and movement patterns. We often complete a quick developmental screening for children under 5. Alternatively, you may fill out a developmental screen ahead of time.
What Comes Next?
Following testing, we allot an additional 15- 20 minutes. During this time, the physical therapist provides recommendations for treatment. Your child may or may not require treatment. The therapist will review our various treatment options should your child require it.. The physical therapist will also discuss recommendations that are the best fit for your child and answer any questions you have.
Other Information
We require parents to be present during all consultations. This allows us to collect accurate information. We allow both in person and Telehealth consultations. We recommend in person for better quality service. It is often challenging to get a good assessment of a child’s capabilities through video. Sometimes, a child can become upset during the assessment. This is often due to the new environment or that the physical therapist is a stranger. The physical therapist always works to reassure your child and to help him/her feel more comfortable.
- 20 minute physical therapy assessment
- Complimentary/free service
- Up to 20 minutes afterwards for discussion of treatment options and questions
- In person or via Teletherapy
- We require parents to be present for the full physical therapy assessment
Schedule Your Child’s Free Consultation today or learn more about our treatment options first.
Evaluations
What is it?
An evaluation is an in depth physical therapy assessment. The assessment, or data collection portion of an evaluation takes up to 60 minutes. First, the physical therapist collects a detailed medical history. Afterwards, the therapist collects information on your child’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
The Components
We typically complete a detailed developmental screen if your child is under the age of 5. These standardized tests are heavily based in research and give an excellent picture of how your child is performing developmentally. Secondly, we complete formal testing of muscle strength in older children. Your child’s range of motion throughout his/her body and posture in various positions are also assessed. Thirdly, we will test and observe your child’s balance both when still and when moving. The therapist looks at your child’s coordination. Finally, we are constantly visually assessing your child’s typical movement patterns for various activities.
What Comes Next?
Your therapist usually allows up to 30 minutes after the assessment. During this time, the physical therapist collaborates with you and your child to determine the goals for treatment. Treatment options are discussed and your therapist provides recommendations on the best course of treatment for your child. Treatment can include individual sessions, group sessions, attendance in fitness/exercise groups, or any combination of these. The physical therapist will answer any questions that you may have. The physical therapist will also send you home with an assigned “Home Exercise Program.” This “HEP” will include activities for you to complete with your child at home to progress treatment.
Other Information
We do not offer virtual or Telehealth evaluations. We recommend evaluations for children with severe symptoms, a complicated medical history, or severe developmental delays. We will also complete evaluations to assess treatment progress, typically after 6 or 12 months. Parent are required to attend evaluations. This ensures accurate collection of information, leading to more effective treatment. Your child may become upset during this process. It is highly detailed and the physical therapist is a stranger. The physical therapist always attempts to put your child at ease. Fridays are when we typically schedule evaluations.
- 60 minute physical therapy assessment
- Highly detailed with many aspects to get a complete picture
- Up to 30 minutes afterwards for discussion of treatment options, establish goals, and answer questions
- Parent presence is required for the full physical therapy assessment
- In person only
- Typically scheduled on Fridays
Things to Know
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Physical Therapy?
There is no one answer to this question. If your child has a medical diagnosis, physical therapy can often help. Some basic indicators that a child needs physical therapy are that they are frequently falling, having trouble learning new skills, or are generally not keeping up with their peers. Some other signs that your child needs physical therapy are poor posture or unusual ways that they move. Some children have bodies that seem floppy or stiff, which is often a sign of an underlying condition that benefits from physical therapy.
Physical therapy can help with developmental milestones, balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, endurance, posture, abnormal movement patterns, and learning new physical skills. It is generally better to get an assessment and find out your child does not need therapy, than to have your child need it and not get the assistance they need. When in doubt, it’s always better to get it checked out. A physical therapist will easily be able to determine if your child needs therapy.
Is My Child Developmentally Delayed?
There is a wide range of what is considered on track developmentally. A detailed physical therapy assessment thoroughly determines where a child is developmentally and whether they are on track or delayed. The CDC has released a parent friendly, printable checklist for children through age 5. Check out the CDC’s milestone checklist. However, please keep in mind this checklist is not a diagnosis and is not perfect. There are many milestones and skills missing. The checklist covers milestones in very broad strokes. It is a guide for parents, not a diagnosis. Some examples of delays are not sitting by 7 months, not pulling to standing by 1 year, and not walking by 16 months. The best way to know if your child is developmentally delayed is through a standardized test administered during a physical therapy assessment .
What To Do When the Pediatrician Says To "Wait Out" Odd Behaviors?
Many abnormal behaviors or movements are temporary and should disappear within 2 months. These are part of typical development. Some of these common things that should disappear are: abnormal patterns when walking if the child just started walking, stutters in children who are learning new vocabulary, and certain reflexes in infants.
When you are told to “wait it out,” keep a log of when you see the behavior, how long it lasts, and possible triggers or what the child was doing at the time. Recording videos can be helpful for the pediatrician as well. If a behavior persists past 2 months there can be cause for concern.
Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone else. If you feel something is wrong, it is okay to push for assessments or therapy. It is better to find out your child does not need treatment, than to need it and not get it.
Certain behaviors should be assessed regardless. If your child regresses or loses abilities they had before, consult your doctor. Frequent falling or a child refusing to stand often have underlying problems. When odd behaviors or movements interfere with daily life or learning it is best to have them looked at. If your infant hates tummy time or only looks in one direction, it typically does not resolve itself. By 18 months your child should be walking, and should not be turning his/her toes in or outwards or walking on his/her toes.